Tag Archives: Joe Mauer

April in the MLB Fan Cave

Posted on by

I’ve watched 353 games since arriving in New York City on March 24th and by the end of today, I’ll have added another 14 to the total. Really, the MLB Fan Cave has barely scratched the surface. But in the 36 days since we watched the Mariners and the Athletics open the season in Japan, a lot has happened here at 4th & Broadway. We got to ring the NASDAQ bell with Tim Brosnan and Harold Reynolds. Mike and Mike came and broadcasted their show from the Fan Cave. We joined Kevin Millar, Al Leiter and Sean Casey as they helped light up the Empire State Building in honor of Opening Day. Aaron Lewis, the frontman from Staind, performed some of his solo stuff for us during the first MLBFanCave.com Concert Series show. We cheered on the Marlins as they opened their spanking new stadium while Far East Movement performed in our living room. Millar and Chris Rose broadcasted Intentional Talk from our couch. Three of the Nationals’ starting pitchers — Gio Gonzalez, Edwin Jackson & Ross Detwiler — were the first players to visit the Cave during the 2012 season. Bernie Williams came and hung out. The Fray performed. The Angels stopped by, bringing Peter Bourjos, LaTroy Hawkins, Howie Kendrick & Mark Trumbo along. On Jackie Robinson Day, the Cave Dwellers spent the afternoon with Sharon Robinson, a moment I’ll never forget. UFC Fighter Jon ‘Bones’ Jones came by the Cave, just days before defending the light heavyweight UFC Championship. We celebrated 100 years at Fenway Park with Jim Rice & Wally the Green Monster (AND the Red Sox World Championship trophies). The Minnesota Twins took over the Cave with visits from Joe Mauer, Matt Capps, Brian Duensing & Liam Hendriks (with post-game visits from Glen Perkins & Jeff Gray). Bonnie Raitt stopped by. Eddie Mata and I were on FOX’s Player Poll with Greg Amsinger, our segment currently being replayed at ballparks across the country. The Giants took over Manhattan and made Ashley Chavez the happiest girl in the world with visits from Sergio Romo & Pablo Sandoval. Red Sox fans from across New York City took over the Cave to celebrate the 100 year anniversary at Fenway, although Eddie Mata’s Yankees didn’t leave them with a win. Omar Miller from CSI: Miami randomly found himself at the corner of 4th & Broadway and came in to check out his fantasy team on the Cave Monster. We watched Phil Humber pitch a perfect game for the White Sox. Penn Jillette stopped by and all of us realized our futures in magic are limited. Logan Morrison of the Miami Marlins came back and took us on what has to be most uninformative tour in New York City history. Our fourth MLBFanCave.com Concert Series featured Daughtry with a surprise visit from Yankees relief pitcher Cody Eppley. The Tigers brought in Miguel Cabrera and Collin Balester, who wouldn’t agree to go easy on my Twins regardless of how many times I asked. The next day, we got to help surprise Justin Verlander’s biggest fan – 11 year-old Shayna Hersh – with a visit from the MVP/Cy Young winner, a day that left most of the Fan Cave in tears.

Yes, the month of April has been ridiculous and life here in New York City doesn’t appear to be slowly down anytime soon. Some days I feel the need to pinch myself because I can’t believe this is my life. I’m truly a blessed baseball fan.

Check out some of my favorite photos — most from my time with the Minnesota Twins — and keep checking in at MLBFanCave.com as the season continues. You can also follow along on Twitter with @MLBFanCave & @Lindsay Guentzel.

Let’s Go Twins!

Hanging out with Kevin Millar, Al Leiter & Sean Casey at the top of the Empire State Building.

Sharon Robinson spent the afternoon at the Fan Cave to help us honor her father on Jackie Robinson Day.

Joe Mauer, Brian Duensing, Liam Hendriks and Matt Capps came by the Cave to hang out for the morning.

After telling the guys that my dad would be so jealous over my day, Matt Capps encouraged me to call him. While on speaker phone, my dad openly told all four of them that he was disappointed in them right before acknowledging how good the Dodgers are this year. Thanks Dad!

Joe stopped by to shoot a promotion for Head & Shoulders where we surprised a fan with a makeover in the Fan Cave.

After beating the Yankees, Capps & Duensing came back to the Cave for a pizza party celebration and they brought Glen Perkins & Jeff Gray with them. This was taken right after I signed Matt up for Twitter — you can follow him at @MattCapps55!

Every week, two of the Cave Dwellers participate in FOX’s Player Poll. Eddie Mata and I were on to talk about the best defensive outfielders and were surprised when we started receiving photos of us on jumbo-trons across the country. Here is on during the pre-game festivities at Target Field.

The MLB asked… I answered…

Posted on by

The MLB Fan Cave wanted to know what three stories I thought would be making baseball headlines heading into the 2012 season. Here they are, in no particular order.

The Marlins' 1993 season ended about as well as my tee-ball team's did.

The Miami Marlins: Tighten your seatbelts & pray for a safe landing Marlins fans because it’s about to get real down in Little Havana. No, Will Smith is not having a comeback tour. It’s better. Ozzie Guillen’s in town & someone decided to give him keys to the whole caboodle. Yes, a revamped baseball brand with a fresh logo, a new ballpark & a roster chuck full of some of the most promising names in baseball is in the hands of the one of the most outspoken, fiery – not to mention, a little nuts – managers in baseball history. But while Ozzie might be the headliner of this crazy train, the roster is just as tantalizing. The addition of Jose Reyes gives Hanley Ramirez an opportunity for resurgence at third while the pitching staff has upped the ante with Heath Bell, Mark Buerhle & Carlos Zambrano. Throw in Mike Stanton & the Twitter banter of @LoMoMarlins & you’ve got yourself a team with enough talent & personality to entertain fans both on & off the field.

Joe Mauer: While wedding bells may be in his near future, the biggest question surrounding the former MVP is what noise he can make for the Twins this year. It’s the $184 million question: what happened to Joe Mauer circa 2009 & what do the Twins have to do to get him back? Mauer played in just 82 games last year, missing two months for bilateral leg weakness – a condition that had every baseball fan pulling up Google. When he did play, he notched just 38 runs, 30 RBIs & 3 homeruns, statistics made even more disappointing by the fact that utility Trevor Plouffe had 47 runs, 31 RBIs & 8 homeruns in less at bats for the Twins. While Joe may try to avoid every question surrounding his future, he solidified his place within the organization when he signed that epic 8-year, $184 million contract. And with that commitment comes responsibility. No amount of free Kemp’s Ice Cream will keep fans from having high expectations in 2012.

Theo Epstein: When the 2003 season started, Theo Epstein was 29 years old & had been the general manager of the Red Sox for six months. It was a productive time in the front office for the Yale graduate, who left his fingerprints on deals that brought in Big Papi & Kevin Millar. A year later, he helped land Curt Schilling & a World Championship – securing his place in history as a man who helped break the Curse of the Bambino. After nine seasons at the helm of the Red Sox, he’s ready for his next challenge: the Chicago Cubs. Finishing the 2011 season 20 games under .500, the Boys in Blue need a good shake up and Epstein could be just the man for the job. As the president of baseball operations, Epstein joins recently hired Jed Hoyer in what seems to be an effort by the Ricketts family to clean house. With payroll concerns & off-season behavior high on the list of concerns, no one can expect an immediate change. But with Theo Epstein’s nameplate in the front office, they’ll no doubt garner major attention this season.

Yes, Joe Mauer’s Engaged.. Sorry Ladies!

Posted on by

Joe Mauer at bat during a spring training game, Twins vs. Rays -- March 19, 2011

For the five of you who haven’t heard, notorious bachelor & Minnesota Twins catch Joe Mauer is officially off the market after proposing to girlfriend — and fellow Cretin-Derham Hall alum  — Maddie Bisanz over the weekend.  I broke the news here yesterday but if you’re looking for more info on the couple, check out these stories from WCCO, Kare 11, FOX 9, FOX Sports North & The Pioneer Press.

Sounds like the former MVP has found himself quite the catch! Hopefully she’s the lucky charm this squad needs to turn things around.

Off-Season Wedding Bells – Joe Mauer’s Engaged

Posted on by

A big congrats to Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer who proposed to girlfriend Maddie Bisanz over the weekend in Florida.  While I’m sure ladies across the country are mourning the loss of the notorious bachelor, I’m happy for the kid.  Hopefully she’ll be his good-luck charm this season!

Wonder if they’ll work St. Paul into the wedding plans — both attended Cretin-Derham Hall.

Joe Mauer at Spring Training, March 2011